Foods That Will Actually Make You Look Younger

The natural favorite anti-aging food is dark chocolate, of course. Not only do you get to indulge a bit when you have a bite, but doing so actually has health benefits that can have you looking younger. Dark chocolate provides iron, magnesium, manganese, copper, and antioxidants — all of which have huge health benefits. Most notably, the antioxidant profile in dark chocolate gets credit for the youth-promoting benefits (via Healthline).

Blueberries and acai berries have long been known to contain impressive amounts of antioxidants. Still, one study cited by Healthline showed that dark chocolate has even more antioxidants than those super-berries. Antioxidants are the compound that wage war against the harmful free radicals in your body. Free radicals are produced naturally, but pollution, chemicals, smoking, and other factors can lead to an abundance of them. Excessive free radical activity has been linked to aging, so consuming more antioxidants to fight them can help you look and feel better (Medical News Today).

Dark chocolate may also improve blood flow and aid in cholesterol regulation. While studies are ongoing, evidence shows that consuming dark chocolate may help with cognitive function. Additionally, it may help protect your skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun and maybe even reduce your risk of heart disease. Experts recommend enjoying dark chocolate in moderation and also advise opting for a 70% or higher cocoa content for optimal health benefits (via Healthline).

While it isn't always fun to talk about bacteria, some bacteria can actually benefit us. Specifically, probiotic bacteria can help delay some of the physical signs of aging.

Probiotics generally arise as a result of bacterial fermentation. According to Healthline, they are abundant in fermented foods such as kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir, yogurt, and tempeh. In a review published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, researchers came to some uplifting conclusions. They found that probiotics "restore acidic skin pH, alleviate oxidative stress, attenuate photoaging, improve skin barrier function, and enhance hair quality." Because probiotics can help diminish the external skin effects of oxidative stress, they can encourage a more youthful appearance. 

One study published in the British Journal of Dermatology even concluded that probiotics can influence the amount of ultraviolet light damage on the skin's surface. The probiotics helped decrease the amount of newly-developed inflammatory cells that were present on the skin's surface.

Fish is another über-healthy food loaded with protein and other elements that we need to keep your complexions glowing and youthful. Many types contain an ample amount of vitamin D and heart-healthy omega-3s. Omega-3 fatty acids do more than just help balance your good cholesterol with the bad. They also help your brain to function properly and have been associated with a decrease in the incidence of some life-threatening diseases (via Healthline). Selenium, a trace element, is found in small amounts in many types of fish and may help prevent sun damage from UV rays

Fatty fish, in particular, can spell success when it comes to maintaining the integrity and youthful texture of your skin. Salmon is one of the most abundant and healthy fish for consumption (via Healthline). In one study, researchers found that a combination of collagen and astaxanthin, a carotenoid found in salmon, led to noticeable improvements in skin elasticity and hydration. While it is true that they combined compounds to achieve these results, the findings were incredibly notable. So, who is up for some sushi?

Watermelon is a summertime favorite that Harry Styles somehow made universally sexy in 2019 by repetitively singing "watermelon sugar high, watermelon sugar high." And even though his lyrics claim that watermelon tastes like strawberries, one of those fruits reigns superior when it comes to youthful benefits. Korean skin care products have been using watermelon in its glow-inducing formulations for years, and it seems like many other skin care gurus are finally getting the memo.

In an exclusive interview with Elle, dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon Tiffany Jow Libby explained that watermelon contains a few choice vitamins that can illuminate your skin. These vitamins include vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E. Not only do these vitamins help reduce inflammation when applied topically, but they can also help reduce the free radical damage that may be dancing its way across the sensitive skin of your face. What's more, each part of the watermelon has a slightly different chemical makeup and can be employed in different ways — from a redness reducer to a protein-infused skin-plumping serum. Zero-waste lovers rejoice because the entire watermelon can be used!

Because watermelon is made up of around 90% water, it is incredibly hydrating when applied to thirsty skin. Dr. Libby even states that you might be able to see the effects of increased surface hydration within seconds of application. However, true cell turnover and results may take closer to around a month to surface.

Californians, rejoice! The state's highly versatile fruit, the avocado, can help us maintain our youthful appearances. The skin's aging process is fraught with variables, but ultimately our skin ages in two ways: "chronological aging" (which is to say that as we get older, our skin does too) and "photoaging" (which is loosely defined as premature aging that occurs due to exposure to UV rays, according to a report in Nutrients.

Research regarding how diet influences skin health is underway, but the fat content of avos is thought to help improve the health of the skin membrane. Avocados contain high amounts of monounsaturated fats, which are thought to positively impact skin health when consumed, according to Healthline. They also contain antioxidants, which is a common thread among many youth-promoting foods. One study even observed that the skin condition of older adults was better among those who consumed healthy fats than those who did so only sparingly.

You could probably guess that tomatoes are healthy. After all, they are varied and rich in color. Tomatoes contain many different compounds that can provide health and youth-promoting benefits. However, the lycopene they contain is unique and especially beneficial (via Healthline).

Lycopene is often found in red and pink fruits. It is known to be an incredibly powerful antioxidant and provides cancer-fighting and heart-healthy benefits as well. Lycopene is most abundantly found in tomatoes, so they are touted for their anti-aging benefits (via Refinery29). One of the main effects of lycopene is on the skin's surface. Lycopene-specific studies have concluded that it can protect the skin from some UV damage when ingested. The studies mostly determined that lycopene offers the most protection when combined with carotenoids, a similar health-promoting compound.

Researchers are quick to warn that eating tomatoes alone isn't a great form of skin protection but that consuming them is a great way to reduce oxidative stress within your body, as a study in Antioxidants demonstrated. Fortunately, eating tomatoes and the lycopene they contain is a great way to help keep your complexion youthful.

Collagen has always been a thing, but only recently has it been thrust into the limelight because of its complexion-balancing and plumping benefits. Collagen is a protein that exists within your body — about a third of the protein in your body is collagen, according to Healthline. "You can think of it as the 'glue' that holds all these things together," the site explained. "In fact, the word comes from the Greek word 'kólla,' which means glue."

The amount of collagen your body produces decreases with age, which contributes to the overall look of saggy, less robust skin. Consuming collagen may not slow the decline of production, but ensuring that you are consuming enough of the components that help your body produce collagen can help (via Healthline). Vitamin C, proline, copper, and glycine all come together to aid in collagen production. By consuming foods that contain these elements, you'll be a step ahead of the curve when it comes to preserving those youthful good looks.

Vitamin C is a popular choice — and one that is plentiful in citrus fruits and some vegetables, like bell peppers. Proline is most abundantly found in egg whites, some mushrooms, and cabbage. Glycine is most often found in the skin of animal meats but is also available from other protein sources. Finally, copper is best consumed through lentils, organ meats, cashews, cocoa powder, and sesame seeds (via Healthline).